Playing it safe at royal Windsor evening racing

Controversy at Windsor racecourse surrounded what was to be a classy card of early season flat racing.

Windsor was to stage the first race of their £75,000 sprint series, the final in August, together with the £16,000 listed race the meeting was to be one were trainers could make an early start on their end of season winning tally.

 But it was not to be. 

Looking back in records I cannot see the last time the Berkshire course had abandon racing only three races old, and with Her Majesty in residence in shouting distance of the course, a lot though it a very rum to do.

An evening that started well enough, before racing a Shetland pony race using the final two and half furlongs, all young jockeys donning the royal colours to impress awaited press, the crowds arriving in their evening finery.

 And a first race ran in the relatively dry overcast atmosphere, a five furlongs’ novice’s filly stakes won by Mark Johnston’s Sea of Snow, ridden by James Doyle, in a close fought finish beating Richard Hannons Tiggalisious.

The two-year-old by Distorted Humor out of an Oasis Dream mare, certainly bred to go a little further, Doyle mentioning that the race gave no hiding places for any of the runners, especially this small filly, that showed a good turn of foot.

Sea of Snow (grey colours), ridden by James Doyle

‘I think we would like to get another run in he before we decide on a plan for her.’ Mentioned the jockey who has a big week of big time races in front of him. Riding this Sheikh Hamdan possible improver, a massive start to the week for the young jockey.

As the second race hacked down to the mile two furlongs start, the rain started to cover the Berkshire track. Roger Varian sending to post Central Square the 11/10 favorite for the maiden stakes.

The four-year-old gelding by Azamour took on the race driven by Andrea Atzeni to stay on well to beat Doyle on charge for a quick double on Hugo Palmer's Paris Magic. 

‘He is a nice laid back sort, that needs a bit more of a galloping track really, over a mile and half he might be one to pick up a decent prize,’ The jockey already sowing a few doubts in racegoers minds that the home bend that would cause controversy later on mentioning the gelding had felt uncomfortable as they turned toward home.

Central Square

The jockey with a nice book of rides for the week, was looking forward to finding out a little more about Choreographer his ride in the group two Dante on Thursday. The well-built colt by See the Stars that took his maiden at Windsor and would be looking to improve.

The rain continued a little more dominantly during the third race, a one mile two-furlong handicap for three year olds. But not hard enough to wilt the Charles Hills colt Grapevine ridden by Michael Murphy.

The home bend now showing a little more concern as the leader stumbling slightly as he turned for home.

 ‘The bend is very slippy at the moment, but the horse was well balanced so he managed to keep going forward.’ 

Grapevine No6 ridden by Michael Murphy.

The trainer who had a very promising Chester the previous week mentioned that he was a nice horse that had done well to keep on his feet

Charles Hills colt Grapevine  who won the one mile two furlong handicap

The concerns of the winning jockey and of others who had also found pulling up on the sharp right handed bend a little tricky, was enough to send trainers, jockeys, stewards and safety officers down to the affected parts to check the state of the ground. 

An inquiry was held as some showed astonishment in the length of time it took to make what they though were a forgone conclusion.

Racing was abandoned, reports that most of the jockeys were happy to ride in the fourth, the six furlong sprint challenge, were quashed by stipendiary steward Richard Westropp who mentioned in the safety of all in concern we have put measures in place to abandon the meeting.

The cause, a slippy surface on the home turn and the pull up area, were the grass was short enough not to allow the horses gain their grip. The conclusion the right one.

Of course there will be racegoers and professionals on both sides of the fence, controversy, plenty.  But to be fair to say all live to take on another day, the only causality being the meeting itself.

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SEVEN RACES, SUN AND FUN AT THE KIMBLEWICK KINGSTON BLOUNT POINT TO POINT 7-5-16

With seven races for the Kimblewick hunt point to point held at Kingston Blount on its penultimate race meeting of the year, in glorious early summer sunshine the crowds came out in support of some top pointing action.

The going classed and good-good to firm, the track reported by those who have walked the Oxfordshire course as good racing ground ample sized fields were on hand to give the enthusiasts of the amateur racing game something to cheer about.

Top riders in attendance, more notably Gina Andrews and Clare Hart, who are battling hard for the ladies’ rider’s championship crown as the season draws to a close.

The first race a restricted, saw the pace harsh as the front runners trying to make the race a speed event thundered over the Oxfordshire countryside.

Dicky Collinson given the all clear by doctors to ride the day before after his fall at Whitfield a few weeks’ back  got himself straight back into contention  from three fences out making his stamp on the race and try to give the slip to the eight other competitors.

But it was new boy Shane Quinlan on board Emgee, trained by Andrew Campbell who tracked Collinson to challenge and overtake the Pennock horse Torran Na Dtonn coming over the last.

‘I was having to get after my fella from about halfway, but he kept going for me all the way to the line,’ mentioned the Irishman, who has only just taken out his amateur licence. ‘I have not been here before as I only got my licence a few weeks back, this is my fourth ride as an amateur, and my first winner so all is going well.’

The young jockey previously conditional to Neil Mulholland maybe new to the amateur game but is no slouch in the saddle having had fifty rides under rules with nine trips to the winners enclosure, and should be a force to be reckoned with as he looks forward to the new season in November were he can take the pointing game on from the start.

The horse who was pulled up at the Cheltenham Hunter chase meeting in April, but a winner at Lockinge looks like he maybe one for the note books as he runs  at meetings on fast ground towards the end of the season.

Shane Quinlan on board Emgee

Clare Hart took the next race, the conditions event on a horse owned by her parents and trained by herself. 

Kazuri Kate battled hard from the home turn to challenge and overtake Phil Bull Aboard On your max who like Dicky Collinson in the first took the race on from three out.

Sam Davies Thomas On the consistent six-year-old Tulsa looked to be the challenger before hart kicked her eight-year-old mare home in fine style.

‘She is such a gutsy mare,’ mentioned the jockey.’ I know with her if we have the right conditions with her she can be off the leaders two out and I’m still confident we can get to the front.’

 The mare now will look to go again in a few weeks’ time at the same track. Only if the ground is safe and not too firm.

The trainer/rider now with nineteen winning rides for the season, and four behind the top spot held by the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews is a keen as ever to ride, but rest assures the horses come first and she mentioned she would not put any horse in jeopardy in order to gain the crown.

Kazuri Kate

The owners of the mare by Exit to Nowhere were delighted to the win. ‘we were not going to come  here until a few days ago, the Garthorpe was the intended run for her. But the ground seemed right here so we u turned and came here instead.’

The hart family steeped in the pointing fraternity history, still enjoying the excitement of the sport.

With that in mind Clare hart came out for the four runner ladies open race to ride Dabinett Moon for Fran Marriott, this time challenging her rival in the jockey’s standings on the very consistent Alan hill charge Start Royal.

Andrews looked a sure winner from four fences out as the twelve-year-old gelding took a commanding lead, Clare hart pushing her eight-year-old mare to stay in contention.

‘This mare is awesome, to beat a class horse in Start Royal is something else.’ The mare taking over the race before the home turn and stepping through the gears to beat Andrews by a commanding twenty length’s.

‘Next season she could be something very special, she is such a lovely horse.’

Dabinett Moon,Clare Hart

Talk of the mare going handicapping over fences or brush hurdles is in the air but time is on the hands of this Midnight Legend eight-year-old.

The owner Christopher Marriott mentioned that as long as Clare has a chance of the championship she will run again. Hart now only three wins from the top spot.

The mare’s half-sister Apple days incidentally has just had a foal by Passing glance, so the thought maybe how long this mare can continue before being sent to stud.

The men’s open was another event were local trainer Alan hill had to settle for second spot.

Again with a consistent horse throughout the season looking for his fourth win on the bounce Consigliere ridden by Joe hill was beaten by a horse that has had experience around the best tracks in the country, but not as constant in the winner’s enclosure as the thirteen-year-old Hill horse.

Swallows Delight trained by Julie Mansell lapped up the fast going to beat consigliere coming up to the last. 

The trainer electing to take a trip to Badminton rather than come to Kingston Blount.

Jockey, veteran rider David Mansell mentioned ‘I’m so pleasedd for the owners who are so supportive to the sport,we were concerned about the Hill horse but we heard through the grapevine he had a hard race on heavier ground, so were not sure if this type of ground would suit.’

The jockey on his third win for the season said ‘I have a hard season to be fair, but I have had some rides were I think the horses would be nice for next season.’ The jockey on his one hundred and eightieth winner of his career, and at the age of fifty two still openly enjoys riding. 

‘I have said to my wife, when you see me not pushing a maiden horse on tell me, then I’ll know it’s time to give up.’ Though talking to David that does not seem anytime in the future yet.

Swallows Delight trained by Julie Mansell

Merrydown Vintage, Phil Bull near his three hundredth winner

Another veteran of the saddle Phil York was responsible for bringing home the winner of the Intermediate race. 

Merrydown Vintage, trained in Guildford by Ray Fielder took a commanding lead from two out to see off Velvet Royale by eight length’s

‘The horse needed good ground and a galloping race, which we have been looking for all season. Phil mentioned to me that the track was riding a little softer that it looked.’ Mentioned the trainer who may run the horse a couple more times before the season closes, the hunt race at the Berks and Bucks meeting at Kingston Blount in a few weeks’ time looks a possibility.

The jockey now on his two hundred and ninety eighth winner of his career and turning fifty this Friday mentioned,’ I have only had about seven wins this season, but I still love riding and we will keep plugging on until I get the three hundred.’ But asked if plans to retire then, the answer firmly back,’ no way. I still like to keep playing.’

Nandini, trained by David Kemp and ridden by Rupert Stern who was on his first visit to the Oxfordshire course took the newly developed older horses maiden race, limited to four, five and six year olds.

The six-year-old that has been well run throughout the season was commented by the trainer as being a very hormonal type of mare, ’we may have run her a few times just coming in or out of season which has affected her, she wants the top of the ground anyway, so I hope this win might be a breath of fresh air for her to go on and win again.’

The jockey on a 100% strike rate at present on the course was a last minute replacement on the horse Sam Davies Thomas the usual call up. But it was decided to change things around to freshen the mare up, Rupert being at the course to ride another runner for the owner and was asked to give the mare the ride. 

The plan worked and the mare took on the race from the front and won the race well giving the second placed horse a length at the finish line. 

‘The plan was never to make the running, but we popped out in front, nothing came past me so I sat there comfortably and let her get into a rhythm,’ the mare obviously is a type that likes to think she is getting her own way, as long as she puts in runs of that caliber then I’m sure connections will allow her to continue in that chain of thought.

Nandini, trained by David Kemp and ridden by Rupert Stern

The final race of the afternoon a member’s race saw the return to the course of Victoria Pendleton on now her own horse According to Sarah, trained by Alan Hill the eight-year-old ran a creditable second in a well-run race to Tim Underwood’s Tempelpirate a horse that has been off the scene for two years with injuries.

Victoria Pendleton on now her own horse According to Sarah

Ridden by Joe Hill the nine-year-old took on the race with authority from three out getting to the line well in front of the second. ‘I got the call to ride this horse early this morning, I think Tim was going to ride him but I’m delighted that’s my first ride for him.’

‘The horse that has had an occurring leg problem,but has always been a horse that has looked well,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘He has just not been ready to race, but we can take him home, see how he comes out of the race and go from there.’ Rest assured the veteran trainer will look after and place this gelding just right for next time out.

Tim Underwood’s Tempelpirate, ridden by Joe Hill

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MAYDAY AT NORTHAW POINT TO POINT WITH THE CAMBRIDSHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHASE MEETING

Midweek this meeting was very doubtful to get the go ahead from the racecourse inspectors, but dry weather just about got this popular meeting to go ahead, the going classed as soft/heavy made it a choice weather to run to horses or not,a lot of owners/trainers electing to leave their runners in the box or take them home.

This left the races to have very small fields as the horses hacked their way around the Hertfordshire track.

Five runners for the first race the East Anglian Area Club member’s conditions race saw a class field headed by Andrew Pennocks Counting stars a horse that stable jockey Dicky Collinson who was stood down for medical reasons for the week mentioned in previous blogs that he was one of the best horses in the Pennocks string.

 Star of Massini,

But it was another well marked horse off a point to point rating of 93 who came off the near bottomless ground on the home straight, Star of Massini, trained in Essex by Mr N Padfield and ridden by top novice rider Jack Andrews to take the race by a length from the Pennock horse.

‘That was winner number eleven for me this season so hopefully I can get a few more now,’ mentioned the jockey who was rushing off on an hour and a half car journey to Mollington for a ride in the last.

'The small field, pace and the ground has played into my hands, if we had gone any faster out there none of us would have made it to the finish line.’

Sam Davies Thomas deputizing for the stood down Collinson mentioned,’ the going beat us, it’s not very good out there really, so I looked after him more than raced.’

 Star of Massini, followed home by Counting Stars

The next race though the intermediate was a little luckier for the young jockey and the experienced Andrew Pennocks horses.

The Admiral Benbow who was part of a Dicky Collinson treble at Fakenham a few weeks back, which included Counting Stars, saw off well three other competitors in a very slow run race. The jockey mentioned that the trainer was going to don his race ride boots himself to get on this one, but a deal was struck if  Davies-Thomas came to ride the rest of the Pennock horse’s that he could take on this one. This taking the young jockey onto twenty winners for the season, seventeen winners being his season best so far.

Sam Davies-Thomas, Andrew Pennock

‘we have had a bit of a talk in the changing room and have all decided to go steady early on in order to make a race of it from the second last, but it’s nice to get spare ride in the caliber of this one.’

The Admiral Benbow

The novice riders race went to true amateur racing people, Stuart Wright riding for his father Richard rode a nice race on The Duke of Kentford to get home in front of Sean Roach on Dallas Cloud.

‘I’m so delighted with that win.’ Mentioned the young jockey of the fourteen year old veteran,whose day time work is within the hustle and bustle of city life.

 ‘It was hard work though, he was keen with me early on so I let him in front and could hear the rest on the back straight final time round pushing their horses, so I had to keep my fella going to the line.’

The Jockey on only his second winner of a five year career riding in points mentioned he used to ride this horse out at Stuart Morris’s, while at University in Leicester. The horse on retirement was given to the Wright’s by the Stuart family on the agreement that he would have fun out and about for the rest of his days.

Richard Wright a third generation farmer mentioned,’ he is such a great schoolmaster, who is enjoying his time at the moment, we are so lucky to have him.’

Richard and Stuart Wright

Again a small field of four for the ladies open,and saw jockey Tabitha Worsely fresh from her win the weekend before at Parham take another race by five lengths on a horse never previously ridden before, Major Decision.

A veteran at fourteen the gelding by Saddlers’ Hall, trained and owned by Miss J. Wickens seemed to take the pair well up the finish line, the going getting no better, if not worse as racing continued.

‘I have never been so slow coming up to the first fence before in a race, but he pulled himself to the front and kept plugging on through the mud,’ mentioned the jockey.’ It’s been an indifferent weekend for me a few placings one going through a wing, but a winner here tops it off nicely.’ Who’d be a jump jockey??

The owner mentioned she bought the fourteen-year-old off the internet a couple of years back, and has enjoyed her time with him, 

‘it’s great to get a winner, it’s been a long winter, so it’s nice to get a win. And it was nice to get Tabitha to finally ride him, she is very much in demand.’

Tabitha, a second year student at Birmingham University has now though got to concentrate on her final few exams, but is a young jockey in high demand.

Major Decision, Tabitha Worsley over the last

Another young jockey in demand this season is Sam Davies-Thomas. On a winner already in the afternoon, he claimed the ride on another winner on the Andrew Pennock horse Mister serious, in the three horse restricted race.

On his twenty first winner of the season, Sam mentioned that the seven-year-old pulled very hard all the way round. ‘This fella has a high cruising speed, he needs a big field on good ground so he can be made to go at a high speed, it’s was very difficult out there.’

Sam Davies Thomas on a hat-trick of wins for the afternoon

Sam’s previous best season was seventeen winners, the afternoon topped off a good weekend for the Banbury based jockey when Allforthelove came home to beat four others in the last race of the afternoon, the open maiden.

 Trained by James Owen the ride usually taken by Tim Domworth  who was elsewhere on the Bank Holiday was a lucky spare ride for the jockey on treble for the afternoon.

Sam Davies Thomas on Mister Serious

A mixed meeting at the Hertfordshire course, a good attendance though for those who came out from the suburbs of London to Coleshill Northaw.

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Last larkhill of the season

The last Larkhill meeting of the season, came with the ground riding good to firm and only a handful of runners in each race.

The meeting put on by the South West Wilts Hunt gave it’s best to the pointing followers to start off the May Bank Holidays vast array of pointing fixtures held up and down the country.

Four runners for the first race a members hunt subscribers race. Stuart Penny sending Quedillac to post the 4/5 favourite.

But it was the girls who took the race with Teona Hammonds Regal Presence that came home three lengths’ clear of favourite, the third horse Sutton storm a further ten lengths back in third.

Teona Hammonds Regal Presence

The nine-year-old showing little form throughout the season seemed to enjoy the quicker ground, the trainer mentioning that in previous races they had been running him on ground not the best for this top of the ground specialist.

Brodie Hampson who stepped aboard the horse for the first time, the ride usually taken by Katy Lyons seemed very impressed by the gelding ‘he really enjoyed it out there, I let him go to the front and he seemed to be doing very little, I knew I had plenty underneath me he was just brilliant.’ The small field played into the hands of the local pair as they were able to dictate proceedings, a luxury they may not have next time out. ‘We will probably run him soon locally if we can,’ mentioned the trainer, ‘so we can get this type of ground, but he will out again before the end of the season.’

Another small field and another West country victory for the open maiden. Three runners to post this time, Camilla Scott’s Lanta’s Legacy ridden by Laura Scott made hard work of it to the finish line beating Kinlochspelve by only a head at the line.

The six-year-old mare made it again an all-girl affair seemed to fly over the last with Harry Nugent on Kinlochspelve to make it one of the fastest finishes I had seen all point to point season, 

‘she can be quite a keen horse, and we were not too sure if the ground was too quick for her, but she coped with it well and in the end I just let her go.’ Mentioned Laura.’ We tried her hurdling and in bumpers but she didn't get on with it, so we bought her back to pointing, she comes out of her races well so we would be looking for a quick run while the ground is fast.’

 The jockey who at the beginning of the season was down on her luck breaking her arm. Know riding winners and placed horses, this six-year-old mare certainly being one that can increase her tally.

Camilla Scott’s Lanta’s Legacy ridden by Laura Scott

Six runners in the ladies open, and saw neighbouring hunt qualified Little chip from the Vine and Craven hunt beat leading trainer Jack Barbers Ruddy Article by a length.

The girls certainly high at the moment riding all three of the winners home so far.

Emily Harbour was on board the Richard Bandey nine-year-old, owed by a group of enthusiastic owners called the Plantation Picnic club, the group that has been established for four years and clearly enjoy their racing and their winners,’ we have had the horse for a year now, buying out of Charlie Longstons yard, we had sadly lost a horse before this so this was to replace, we have four horse know, starting with just the one.’

 The group that come from Kingsclere are a bunch of friends out to enjoy their sport, and it was clear that they respect and appreciate all the team behind their horses.

Little chip

The horse now destined to run at Fontwell in a weeks’ time for the hunter chase evening meeting was planned to run on the Larkhill right handed track to see how he handled it, as it has been fine over left handed tracks, and now with the Fontwell figure of eight track firmly in its sights the plan is almost complete.

Alan Hill sent his only runner of the afternoon for the Prince of Wales Men’s Open. Kings Legacy owned by the hills saw so Joe Hill ride a well executed race on the twelve year old by Kings Theatre.

Alan not in attendance on the Wiltshire track as he was with others at Pepper Harrow were he also saddled a winner sent son and wife Lawney Hill to officiate this fine win by a hose that in the past has had some serious form.

‘Dad and I had a serious conversation this morning on how to ride him today, but as he wasn't here he said to ride him how I wanted, and thankfully it worked. I'm so pleased for dad and the team, especially the guy that looks after him Zoran who is married to the horse I think.’ 

The horse now looks like it will be having a campaign out of Lawney’s yard on professional tracks throughout the summer months, Joe mentioning that he hopes now riding a winner on him in front of mum he may get the leg up on him, in front of a certain Aidan Coleman but rest assured this ex David Nicholson horse will be placed just right to continue his winning form.

Kings Legacy (farside) Gizzit (nearside)

The two mile five-furlong race for four, five and six year old maidens, saw again a small field of only four go to post. And it was the assistant trainer to David Nicholson, Harry Derham who saddled his one and only horse he has to train for his first ever winner.

‘This is quite a shock really, he didn’t cost much money and he is a small horse so I’m pleasantly surprised.’

 Caid Des Malberaux or as they know him at home ‘George’ only a four year old seemed to jump well enough to beat second placed horse Hit the Diff ridden by James Martin, who had struggle from four out from his six year old jumping significantly right giving distance away on each fence.

The trainer of the winner agreeing that if kept straight his horse may have not got home a length in front, but said that it was racing and jumping was the name of the game.

Caid Des Malberaux

‘At the moment I have not thought of what’s going to happen next, so we will go home, enjoy the win and think on from there.’

Whatever in the future, this well grounded trainer has certainly a good career in front of him, Caid Des Malberaux always being a specially winner for him.

The final race of the day the restricted race saw only a two horse race. Anglingforcharlie and Woodfleet seemed to look after each other the whole way round the Wiltshire track, racing from about three out.

It was again a Richard Bandey charge in Woodfleet that took the race ridden by Martin McIntyre.

‘For a two horse race this was quite competitive, they boys looked after each other well, it was a good Irish type of race,’ mentioned the trainer on a double for the afternoon.

The jockey mentioned,’ I was happy to give my fella a breather coming up the hill, which was good, coming around the home turn I felt I had plenty of horse underneath me.’

Woodfleet ridden by Martin McIntyre.

Only a small race but quality one to end Larkhill’s 2015-16 season, a track that is well used from the start to the end of the season, and always well worth a visit.

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‘THE CHAMP IS HERE’ FONTWELL PARK EVENING MEETING 29-4-16

On good ground Fontwell Park delivered a seven race evening meeting card to start the good people of East Sussex off to a blinding start to their Bank Holiday weekend.

The arrival of Richard Johnson, who now starts his new National Hunt season in his rightful place as champion jockey, and with a fine selection of booked rides, looked like the party was set to continue.

Rolling Dough, Joshua Moore

The first race was set off at a strong pace for a two and half mile Handicap Hurdle.

Diana Grissell’s Rolling Dough, Joshua Moore on board kept on well on the flat to keep Charlie Longstons Midnight gem at bay by a length and a half.

The race less than competitive seemed to suit the eight year old mare. Moore mentioning that a drop in weights and the better ground played into the mares hands.

Jockeys coming back in from the first all mentioning the ground to be good fast jumping ground.

Rolling Dough, Joshua Moore winning the first race at Fontwell

The two mile one furlong handicap steeple chase saw six runners take to the start. 

Richard Johnson on the 85/40 favourite Quadriller trained by Phillip Hobbs made the newly crowned champion work for his first win back in the new national Hunt Campaign. 

Mistakes in Jumping made Johnson have to pressure the nine year old on the flat to take his fourth win from twenty one starts.

Quadriller 

Enthusiastic punters gathered to pay their appreciation to the newly crowned top jockey as he entered the winner’s enclosure.

Johnson mentioned, ‘this is a horse that will have a nice summer campaign in two mile chases, he has had the winter off so is ready to crack on know.’

Quadriller , Richard Johnson the new Champion jockey lead at the last

Jamie Snowdon’s Jamie Snowdon’s Edbani the 11/4 favourite was tuned over into second place in the two mile three furlong maiden hurdle. 

Valiant Creek ridden by Kieran Woods, trained by Alex Hales rallied on well up the Fontwell hill to retake the lead from the favourite by the line. Half a length separated the two as the 8/1 shot took his race.

The seven year old unseating seven days before at Warwick looked the all over winner, Kieran mentioning that on the day connections really fancied the win, a fall or unseat was the only thing to beat him.

‘The top four horses in that race will win a race, the Henderson horse (Minstrel Royal, in third) is rated about 12 lbs higher than mine. But my fella will go out and win again on fast ground.’

Valiant Creek ridden by Kieran Woods, trained by Alex Hales

The favourite though prevailed in the two mile five furlong handicap chase, Mercers Court, trained by Neil King, ridden by Trevor Whelan rallied on well under a pressured ride by Whelan to beat Buttergrove King on the line by a neck.

Mercers Court (left) Rokinrobin (right)

‘This would be the first race we haven’t turned for home on the bridle,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He is a honest, up and coming sort, this trip is fine for him and over fences as it doesn’t stretch him too much.’ 

The 9/4 favourite though did seem to struggle a little in this particular contest but should not be ignored too much in further contests.

Mercers Court, trained by Neil King, ridden by Trevor Whelan

The feature hurdle race, the £6000 two mile one furlong handicap. Was won in fine style by Banyu. Trained by Phillip Hobbs on a double for the evening with his stable jockey on board Richard Johnson, the five year old with three wins now from seven starts dominated the race throughout.

Stylishly driven out by Johnson the 2/1 favourite looked impressive as he strode up the hill to the line.

‘He has had two wins now in a week,’ mentioned the newly crowned champion jockey.’ He still an improving sort, but he has relaxed the best he has ever done today, and would be a very nice horse for the future.’ 

Banyu

It would be good to point out that Nicky Henderson who only sends horses with a serious chance to Fontwell was runner up on this occasion with Maestro Royale, who was a full ten lengths back in second place.

The jockey of this impressive five year old said it had been a fantastic week for him and his family. And it was good to start the ball rolling again with some very nice horses.

Banyu, Richard Johnson

The distance race of the evening the three mile one furlong handicap chase was taken by a popular attendee to the East Sussex course.

The Gary Moore trained Ilewin for Hannah, ridden by son Jamie Moore had been waiting for the good ground to come. Pulled up at Fontwell in December in soft ground the nine year old in training throughout the whole of the winter now can bring his talents to the fore.

 Ilewin for Hannah,

Gary Moore not in attendance due to the fact of recovering from a shoulder operation will now aim this horse for an early season campaign his representative mentioned,’ most courses do not water their tracks throughout the beginning of the season, in order to keep the water table low in the turf, and give a better chance of race able ground when the bad weather of winter arrives. So we will take advantage of that with this fella.’

 Expect to see this one on the tracks throughout the summer on the top of the ground. One for the notebooks.

The final race of the evening, a one mile five bumper race. Seamus Durack sent out his expensive purchase from the sales for a second time at the Sussex Course, Alfredo was dominate in the field at the beginning of April to win his debut race the ground then good to soft of. 

But off the better ground seemed to faultier and despite being 2/1 favourite the four year old finished well down the field.

The race went to Tom George’s Stamp your feet. Ridden by Paddy Brennan the four year old also on his second run, previously a good third in a bumper at Southwell.

Colliding with the rail on the run in the Galileo gelding did not alter his stride and seemed to come up the hill ridden out easily; beating Mick Channon’s The Blue Bomber by six lengths.

Both horses mentioned cannot be disregarded in future events. The winner now placed in both his starts on good; good to soft ground would be one to circle in the form boos for future runs.

Durack’s Alfredo, still thought of in high regard, would be one to watch as his racing career continues.

Tom George’s Stamp your feet. Ridden by Paddy Brennan

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HUNTER CHASE FINALS EVENING RACING AT CHELTENHAM 27-4-16

Seven races for the amateurs at the home of national hunt racing. 

Point to point and hunter chase finals night saw the end of the 2015-16 racing season at the Prestbury racecourse.

A lot of dreams were fulfilled and fairy tales written, throughout the evening racing.

The first race a two mile Hunter chase saw fourteen go to post. Well regarded trainer of the pointers Alan Hill sending his talented eight year old Broken Eagle off at 15/8 favourite.

The horse that has been dominant over his last handful of wins on the East Anglian pointing tracks had a little more competition as he came to two fences out.

Making the running for most of the way the favourite was soon headed by last years winner of the race Sam Cavallaro, ridden by Rob Jarrett. Both horses finishing very tired, seven lengths between first and third.

The winner falling in the Aintree foxhunters, but winning at the course and distance in April, showed his class and stayed on well.

The second race of the evening the Red Mills Intermediate final, saw qualifiers from the lengths and breadth of the point to point community come together for the showdown at Cheltenham.

Another horse that has been seen right from the beginning of the pointing season winning at Cottenham in November Lilbitluso ridden by John Mathias and trained by John O’shea made his mark by three lengths beating Doctor Braveheart ridden out and staying on well up the Cheltenham hill. 

Lilbitluso ridden by John Mathias

The jockey mentioned that his grip on the reins was not the best due to baby oil from his turn out and the slight rain shower made for a tricky grip on the eight year old.

‘He settled well, the plan was to make the running anyway, he jumped well enough, making his usual few mistakes but he won well, we had a gear in hand all the way, so I'm please with him.’

The horse now heading for the Subaru Finals at Stratford in a few weeks time, and  is hoping to make a classy six timer from it, and would certainly back up his position as one of the top five pointers we have seen out this season.

John Mathias

Cousin Pete won the United Hunts cup, with a patient and well timed ride from amateur Nick Phillips.

 The 4/1 shot beating High Hatton and Midnight king, who both had every chance coming over the last. The favourite Templebraden back in fourth.

The eight year old qualified with the V.W.H hunt, was a popular win getting a true Cheltenham festival style cheer as he came into the winner enclosure.

Near the end of his season now the pointer will be a good horse to watch as he works on the new season from November.

Cousin Pete,Nick Phillips

The feature race of the evening the £6000 champions hunters chase, thirteen went to post.

Champion Point to point jockey Will Biddick on the favourite Current event could show no form as the horse swept around the bend leaving Gunmoney from the Gerald Bailey yard in front, the winner Pearly steps ridden by Jane Williams staying on very well in second.

Pearly steps ridden by Jane Williams, winner of the £6000 feature race

A mistake by Gunmoney over the last left the 3/1 shot thirteen year old to jump and run on up the hill to take the race by three lengths, Gunmoney finding the pressure allowing Barrel of laughs to take second spot. 

Again as in previous races all horses were finding the going on the grade one course tough, true staying horses were to the fore.

Pearly steps  Jane Williams

The mares finals was a true all girl affair.

Popaway ridden by Immy Robinson beating the favourite The flying Doc ridden by the champion amateur Will Biddick unlucky on the evening by seven lengths.

The eleven year old mare seventh of fourteen in the Cheltenham Foxhunters, waited in behind a main bunch of runners coming up to the last to jump and slingshot herself to the front, running on gamely up the hill.

Popaway ridden by Immy Robinson

‘We have won over two miles here so we had a few concerns if she’d stay, but she surprised me how much she ran on over the last, i think it played into my hands the front horses taking each other on so early on.’ 

The jockey with the broadest of smiles mentioned how great it was to ride, let alone ride a winner at the home of national hunt racing. And was grateful a dedicated evening was put aside for the amateurs. 

‘This mare is a real hardened battler and loves the rough and tumble, so I’m delighted for all the connections and the mare they deserve it.’

The distance race of the evening the four mile open hunters chase, was won in very fine style by 5/1 shot Vasco Du Mee. Ridden by Josephine Banks and trained by M. Weston.

Vasco Du Mee. Ridden by Josephine Banks

The seven year old versatile horse seemed to show what others could not throughout the evening and come up the hill going well beating Join Together by nine lengths with impressive dominance.

Well versed in the Hunter chase field, the gelding winning at Fakenham, and finishing second to the earlier winner Pearlysteps at Towcester last time out.

This class distance running horse showed that if he could maintain the form would be a true contender for any long distance races next season, and has surly made his stamp on the division the next time he comes out.

The final race of the evening was a two and a half mile event. Ten runners to post and was taken to the wire as 6/1 veteran Big Fella Thanks beat Foynes Island by a neck.

Young Jockey fresh out from school Noel George on board to bring the fourteen year old home, a horse with more experience on the racecourse than the jockey himself.

‘It was a dream ride for me today, riding here for the first time and a win, on an absolute legend was a dream.’ The jockey who was picked up from school at 3.30pm where he completes his A/S levels in the next few weeks.

 No stranger to race riding though as the youngster competed in pony racing as a ten year old, gaining a host of winners.

Big Fella Thanks, Noel George

‘Every fence he got it right for me, short or long all I had to do was to stay on, he has a big engine, but doesn’t really get the pointing three miles,his class gets him through. 

The hunter chase at Wincanton he came up against Pacha Du Polder, be but came good at Exeter. Two and a half miles around here would be his optimum distance.’

Big Fella Thanks beat Foynes Island by a neck.

A young man with a big future in his first season riding under rules, and all he has to say is thanks to the Big Fella.

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